According to Lionel Messi, the players that children now talk about and imitate the most are Mbappe, Vini Junior, Haaland, Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal.
Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi has attracted attention by not mentioning his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo in his list of five players that children imitate the most when playing football.

For the past two decades, Messi and Ronaldo have dominated world football. However, as both are entering the twilight of their careers, a new generation of stars is emerging. In an interview with Simplemente Fútbol, Messi listed the names that today’s kids look up to, including Robert Lewandowski and four of Europe’s brightest talents, but not Ronaldo or himself.

“Children watch and imitate everything. They know everyone and follow players like Mbappe, Vini Junior, Haaland, Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal,” Messi shared.

In particular, Messi praised Lamine Yamal, the 17-year-old talent of La Masia, who played a major role in Spain winning Euro 2024 and is leading Barcelona towards a treble this season. “What Lamine Yamal is doing is impressive. He was a European champion at 17, he is developing and will continue to contribute, just like I did. He has incredible qualities and is currently one of the best players in the world,” Messi commented.

Yamal inspired Barcelona’s comeback against Celta Vigo on Sunday, helping the team win 4-3 from 3-1 down and consolidate their seven-point lead at the top of La Liga.

Yamal’s Barcelona teammate Robert Lewandowski also expressed his amazement at the youngster’s talent. “Lamine came to train with us when he was 15. I’ve seen many young talents, but I was never sure about a big career. Until I saw Lamine. I asked him how old he was, he said 15, and I thought that was impossible,” the Polish star shared.

Messi’s statement is currently creating a wave of heated debate on social media, especially among Messi and Ronaldo’s fan community. However, it cannot be denied that the names he chose are all symbols of the next generation, continuing the glorious journey that Messi and Ronaldo have created over the past two decades.